Gochu Japchae (Korean Spicy Pepper Stir-fry): A Flavorful Dish for Entertaining
Baek Jong-won’s Gochu Japchae Recipe: Easy and Delicious Dish for Guests!
Today, I’m sharing Baek Jong-won’s style Gochu Japchae, a dish that brings restaurant-quality flair right to your home. This vibrant stir-fry features colorful bell peppers and tender pork, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Main Ingredients- 300g Pork for Japchae
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Onion
- 2 Korean Green Chili Peppers (optional, omit if serving to children)
- 1 stalk Scallion (for aromatic oil)
- 1/3 stalk Scallion (sliced for stir-frying)
- A pinch of Sesame Oil
- A sprinkle of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Steamed Buns or Rice (for serving), as needed
Pork Marination & Odor Removal- A pinch of Ginger Powder (or minced garlic)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 0.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
All-Purpose Korean Sauce Base- 2 cups Water (approx. 400ml)
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/2 cup Oyster Sauce
- 1/5 cup Sugar
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
- A pinch of Ginger Powder (or minced garlic)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 0.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
All-Purpose Korean Sauce Base- 2 cups Water (approx. 400ml)
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/2 cup Oyster Sauce
- 1/5 cup Sugar
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Wash the onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper, remove the seeds, and slice them into 0.5cm thick strips. Finely chop one stalk of scallion to create an aromatic oil. If you’re serving this with children or prefer a milder dish, you can omit the Korean green chili peppers, or chop them finely if you want a touch of heat. I’ve omitted them for my kids.
Step 2
Next, let’s marinate the pork. In a bowl, combine the 300g of pork for japchae with 1 tablespoon of mirin (rice wine), 0.5 tablespoon of soy sauce, a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of minced garlic or ginger powder. Gently mix everything together and let it marinate for about 10 minutes. This step helps tenderize the pork and remove any gamey flavors.
Step 3
Don’t forget the perfect accompaniment to Gochu Japchae: fluffy steamed buns! Prepare them by warming them up. They pair wonderfully with the savory flavors of the dish and are also great served alongside rice.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the star of the show – the all-purpose Korean sauce base! In a pot or bowl, combine 2 cups of water (approx. 400ml), 1/2 cup of soy sauce, 1/2 cup of oyster sauce, 1/5 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of cornstarch. Whisk thoroughly until there are no lumps. (This sauce can be made in a larger batch and used for other dishes too! If you’re making just enough for this meal, feel free to adjust the quantities to your taste.)
Step 5
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the finely chopped scallion (for aromatic oil) and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then, add the marinated pork. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, until the pork is no longer pink on the outside. Be careful not to overcook it at this stage.
Step 6
Once the pork is mostly cooked, add the sliced onion and stir-fry until the onion becomes translucent. Next, add the sliced bell peppers (green and red). Stir-fry quickly over high heat for just about 30 seconds to 1 minute. You want the vegetables to be tender-crisp, not mushy.
Step 7
It’s time to add the sauce! Before pouring, give the sauce a quick stir as the cornstarch may have settled at the bottom. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir everything together. Let it simmer for about 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency. Turn off the heat and finish with a few drops of sesame oil for extra aroma. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for garnish.
Step 8
Serve the delicious Gochu Japchae with warmed steamed buns or a bowl of hot rice. The combination of the savory, umami-rich sauce, the crisp vegetables, and the tender pork is truly delightful. It’s a fantastic dish for entertaining guests and surprisingly easy to make for cooks of all levels!
